Any recommendations for good "summer reading" on a cruise?

[emilysmom]

What books have you read that are perfect for the beach or cruise? I'm looking for something upbeat that leaves me feeling good! Thanks.

Countdown to Bermuda on the Zenith
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[tlmlb]

Read Angels and Demons while on Med cruise..great thriller set mainly in Rome... great fun to read a book with places just visited....

[MommaFaye]

Have you read "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham? Way different than his other books and very funny. About Christmas, yes, but also trying to go on a cruise. It makes me smile [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Feb 2005 Summit Cruise
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Princess Regal 1995
NCL Dreamward 1997
Celebrity Summit 2002
Celebrity Summit 2005

[emilysmom]

Knowing me, I'll buy every book you all recommend. There's nothing like a great book while listening to the ocean! Thanks so much!

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[melissacruise]

I liked The Devil Wears Prada. It's funny, especially if you are into designer clothes.

[CaptainChuck]

I just finished reading "Three Men and a Maid" by the great P.G. Wodehouse. Published in 1921 it gives us a very humorous view of life on transatlantic passenger ship. You can even download it for free here:
[url="http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=6836"]http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=6836[/url]

However, I prefer a real book to hold in my hands.

[high seas gal]

Before reading Angels and Demons, read the first book, The DaVinci Code (spelling!). For me personally, any John Grisham book, any Tom Clancy book, and sometimes Ludlum's books. Cruises are wonderful for reading! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

High Seas Gal
Northern California

Celebrity Mercury - October 13, 2004 - Mexico!
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NCL Sky Jun. 2000 (ALASKA)
NCL Sky Aug. 2001 (ALASKA)
Princess Regal Princess Jul. 2002 (ALASKA)
NCL Sun Sep. 2003 (ALASKA)

[Denham33]

I had Angels & Demons on our Feb. Constellation cruise. A real page turner. Not to be picky, and it really doesn't matter, but A & D comes before DaVinci Code. DaVinci Code refers back to A&D as the character's 1st adventure. I read them out of order & it didn't ruin anything.

Constellation - 2/04
NCL Dream - 2/00
NCL Dreamward - 2/96

[Lois R]

Hi[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Anything by Nora Roberts...
Lawrence Sanders..."The Archy Mcnalley Series"
Perri O'Shaunessy...love her books.
If you want to really laugh...read Jane Heller...everytime I read one of her books, I literally laugh out loud [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img].

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url]

[cfk2439]

I love anything by James Paterson and also romantic mysteries by Iris Johanson. You will not be able to put them down until you are finished.

Carol

[Alzarine]

If you are into thriller novels,a good read is Firefly by P.T. Deutermann. I am reading it right now but wished I had waited for a cruise to enjoy it on a comfy lounge chair. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Happy ks]

I can't get enough of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum character. I love the humor and it's always an easy read. I just finished "The Stories of Eva Luna" by Isabel Allende, a wonderful book of short stories. I had read "Eva Luna" before, this book was a little different, Isabel Allende is a fascinating author. "Skipping Christmas" would be fun to read on a cruise, since it is about trying to go on a cruise. I try to take something simple and humorous on vacation, something that doesn't challenge my "vacation mode" brain.

Kathy

[catmand]

Ditto Evanovich.....best to start at 1 if haven't read and now up to 9 so lot's of fun reading ahead.....and here is one I never see mentioned on these lists....Carl Hiaasen...he has about a dozen books out great if you like dark humor...look him up on the web. PS: I see you are from NJ, well Evanovich will be perfect for you...her character is from New Jersey.

Star Princess 9/03 Alaska
Celebrity Mercury 3/04 Mexico
Next: Sapphire Princess 10/2/04 Mexico
Celebrity Infinity 5/05 Alaska
Mercury Cruise 3/13/04 & Amtrak Train trip 4/04 Pic's
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[gymrat]

I loved "life of pi", such an interesting read.

[cruiseorbust]

Love to read..."book a day keeps the dead space away". Reading is great for the mind!!! Keeps the cobb webs away too!

DaVinci Code, Skipping Christmas, Diary for Nicholas, ...anything by Tom Clancey or by Danielle Steele. I could go on and on, but that should keep you busy for awhile. If all else fails....read the Celebrity Cruises schedule/book and plan your next trip!!

Big Red Boat
Royal Majesty
Royal Majesty
Sensation
Sensation
Big Red Boat
Majesty
Ecstasy
Ecstasy
Century
Celebration
Horizon
Destiny
Mercury
Century
Voyager
Zenith
Mercury
Horizon
Galaxy
Summit
Horizon
Galaxy
Century
Mariner

[OCruisers]

Not too many mystery books are actually fun reads which leave a person feeling happy!

The Archy McNally series by Lawrence Sanders always make me laugh! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[I]The location is Palm Beach ... and Archy has a girlfriend whose family is from Cuba so they have a tropical touch![/I]

Keep the suggestions coming! Happy Sailing! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[wvufan]

Always a good topic!

In addition to liking most of the books mentioned, I really enjoy Carl Hiaasen, who is just plain nuts.

Favorite of all time is the long book Pillars of the Earth by my favorite author, Ken Follet.

Based on recommendations from these boards, I read The Lovely Bones by Alice Seabolt (or something like that) a few months ago-what a pleasure!

Looking forward to many good books on an upcoming 14 night cruise [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img].

OOOEEE [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Bob and Phyllis

[LovetheSea]

I love a good book and read whenever I have time for it. But, for some reason I can not seem to get through a chapter when I am on a cruise. Too many other things to do and see. When I lay in the sun and read I get sleepy.Once I was reading next to the swimming pool. I got up and went in the pool to cool off. When I got back a pool deck crew member took everything off my chair and put it in a dirty towel bin! Including my brand new sunglasses and reading glasses. ( I knew this because someone told me they witnessed this happening) And there was someone in my chair. We are not all chair hogs. Sometimes we are just in the pool. I never did find my book, so I don't know how it ended [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]
I am also usually with my hubby or Mom and don't want to be rude and stick my nose in a book when I am with them.
At home I read while everyone else is watching T.V.
Good luck finding a fun adventure to read. Nothing too serious.
Your on vacation! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]
Hope you have a great time!

[emilysmom]

Thanks so much for all your remommendations! I'm leaning towards Skipping Christmas because it was suggested by several people. One book that I enjoyed was Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. It's about a women going through a mid-life crises. At the beach one day she just walked away from her life to start a new one. Anne Tyler is one of my favorite authors. She also wrote Accidental Tourist.

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[Danno]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lois R:
Hi[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Lawrence Sanders..."The Archy Mcnalley Series"

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I LOVE THIS SERIES!! Mindless fluff at it's best...fun read, won't change your life, no social issues. Just good fun reading. The series was carried on by Vincent Lardo after Saunders death. The books seem to be getting better with each one he writes.

My first experience with Stuart Woods was a paper back from from the store aboard Galaxy. "Dead in the Water"...great read, fun character in Stone Barrington.

Dan

CenturyX1,GalaxyX2,HorizonX5,VolendamX1,

Zenith to Bermuda Oct/04
Century to E.Caribbean Feb/05

**email mrtnb(at)efni(dot)com

[Mysteryreader]

As you can tell from my signature, I'm a big mystery fan. John Dunning's Bookman/Cliff Janeyway series has a real following. The first two in the series were published nearly a decade ago, but a third is just out. If you like books, interesting characters, and well-crafted mysteries, I recommend them.

I just finished Sleeping Beauty by Phillip Margolin. I've enjoyed his in the past but thought this was not up to his usual standard.

M/R

[debjac]

I agree with Danno that Stuart Woods are a great cruise read. If you like "can't put them down" books try Harlan Coben - his new one "No Second Chance" and also "Tell No One" are terrific. If you want something fun, light and great for a side activity of people watching I'd suggest the Shopaholic books - very funny.

Have a great cruise!

[Deb C.]

debjac:
I love to shop so I did a search on Shopaholic. Are you referring to "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by S. Kinsella?

Thanks!

[lesleyfb]

As someone else has mentioned Devinci Code, The Kill Artist, The English Assistant, The Confessor, 1st the Die, 2nd Chance & 3rd Degree. They have all been recommended on another site. Enjoy.

[debjac]

Deb C - yes, there are 3 books all together. Confessions is the 1st, then Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, and finally Shopaholic Gets Married. If you love to shop you will love Confessions.